Environment Agency workers to take historic strike action

Thousands of Environment Agency (EA) workers in England will strike for the first time tomorrow in a significant escalation in a dispute over pay. UNISON members working in the EA are now “working one day in every five for nothing” due a decade of government failures to pay workers wages in line with inflation. Workers who maintain important safety structures such as the Thames Barrier, coastal sea defences and those protecting communities from floods, water pollution, spills, waste fires and fly-tipping will walk out tomorrow, Wednesday 18 January from 8am to 5pm.  Last November, EA workers were given an inadequate pay rise of just 2% plus a £345 payment. In December, thousands of workers started working to rule for an indefinite period, meaning they are working only their contracted hours and taking all their scheduled breaks and full rest time between shifts.  The strike comes at a time of year when extreme weather is more likely to hit the country. Where there is a threat to life or property from incidents such as a major flood, officers will step in as emergency ‘life and limb cover’ has been agreed. UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said: “Dedicated staff have been left with no other option but to strike over pay for the first time in the agency’s history. “The decision to strike wasn’t taken lightly as workers know their role is crucial in keeping communities and the environment safe. “But the cost-of-living crisis has reached a point ...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News environment agency Industrial action strikes Source Type: news